Africa-Press – Uganda. The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called for the practical and selective use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in criminal justice, saying it strengthens judicial authority, improves case management and enhances judicial wellness when properly applied.
Justice Abodo made the remarks while guiding a panel preparing for the forthcoming Annual Judges’ Conference (AJC) during a preparatory meeting held earlier today.She emphasised that discussions on ADR at the conference should be grounded in real courtroom experience rather than theory, and should clearly demonstrate that ADR is compatible with criminal justice and remains firmly under judicial control.
Addressing concerns among some judicial officers, Justice Abodo said ADR remains firmly under judicial control.Drawing on her experience in both the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she acknowledged fears that ADR could dilute judicial authority but dismissed them.
“On the contrary, ADR strengthens judicial oversight, as it is the judicial officer who determines suitability, manages the process, and ultimately controls the outcome,” she said.
The Principal Judge stressed that ADR must not be applied as a blanket diversion from the criminal justice process. She said its use should be selective and principled, with judicial discretion especially in matters of public interest remaining central.When properly applied, she noted, ADR allows judicial officers to focus on complex and serious cases while resolving suitable disputes, such as compensation-driven matters, more efficiently. This, she said, improves docket management and reduces the strain associated with prolonged trials and extensive judgment writing.
Justice Abodo welcomed the proposed panel format based on guided questions instead of slide presentations, saying it would promote peer-to-peer engagement and enable judges to share “lived courtroom experiences” that can be applied across different court stations.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, thanked the Principal Judge for her guidance, noting that it together with input from the Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Justice Emeritus Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo has shaped the direction of this year’s conference.
He reaffirmed that the AJC is judge-led, with JTI providing coordination and technical support.
Justice Prof. Khaukha said the ADR paper was developed under the leadership of Justice David Matovu, Head of the Criminal Division, with contributions from the JTI research team and the ADR Registry, under the Principal Judge’s direction.
He added that the conference will adopt a paperless format, with materials accessed through QR codes to support timely and interactive engagement.
The meeting also reviewed progress on other conference panels focusing on judicial wellness, artificial intelligence in the administration of justice, and judicial leadership.
In her closing remarks, Justice Abodo reiterated that “judicial wellness remains at the heart of the conference,” stressing that success will be measured by whether judges leave motivated to apply ADR effectively in their courtrooms, improve docket management and enhance their overall judicial experience.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
